Bible League: Living His Word But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.In Roman times a general who had led an army to victory in battle would lead a triumphal procession down the main street of Rome. The purpose of the procession was to give Roman citizens the opportunity to celebrate the general and his victory. The procession would move from the outskirts of the city, past the Forum, and on to the Colosseum. The general would ride in a chariot at the head of the procession. At the rear of the procession would follow all the captives of the battle. Fragrant clouds of incense would be released into the air as the procession moved forward. In our verse for today, the Apostle Paul uses certain aspects of this Roman celebration as an image to describe the meaning of life in Christ Jesus. There are three main aspects to this new life: First, the new life is life led in triumphal procession by Jesus Christ himself. In Paul's view, Jesus is like a conquering general who has won a great battle. Due to the victory, life has been fundamentally altered for the better and the general is worthy of receiving great praise and honor. Life now consists of following the general in the procession of life and in the celebration of His triumph. Second, the new life is life as a captive of Jesus Christ. Once we stood opposed to Jesus Christ as His enemies, but He has conquered us and made us captives in His triumphal procession. Captives of Christ are no longer enemies of Christ, however, but conquering allies of Christ. Unlike the Romans captives, who followed the general in abject humiliation and misery, we follow Jesus in joyous celebration of the conquest. Finally, the new life is a life that spreads the "aroma" of Christ's victory everywhere. God uses Christ's captives to further the extent of the conquest. There are still enemies of Christ that exist outside the triumphal procession. God uses us to capture these enemies, release them from captivity to the flesh and the devil, and make them fellow captives of Christ. We should be thankful to God for all this, because we have become part of Jesus Christ's conquest of sin and evil. We have become joyful participants in Christ's triumphal procession on the pathway of life. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 107, 108 Psalm 107 -- BOOK 5: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his loving kindness endures forever. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 108 -- David's Psalm of Steadfastness (2Sa 23) NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Romans 15:21-33 Romans 15 -- We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak; Paul Plans to Visit Rome NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”Insight This is one of the most powerful statements uttered by Jesus. When he said that he existed before Abraham was born, he undeniably proclaimed his divinity. Not only did Jesus say that he existed before Abraham, he also applied God's holy name to himself. This claim demands a response. It cannot be ignored. The Jewish leaders tried to stone Jesus for blasphemy because he claimed equality with God. But Jesus is God. Challenge How have you responded to Jesus, the Son of God? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon John 11:4 This sickness is not unto death.From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which it cannot go. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the ultimatum of his sickness. In all sickness, the Lord saith to the waves of pain, "Hitherto shall ye go, but no further." His fixed purpose is not the destruction, but the instruction of his people. Wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat. 1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses; each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of him who numbers the hairs of our head. 2. This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the end designed, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction comes not at haphazard--the weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds and meting out the heavens, commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. We cannot suffer too much nor be relieved too late. 3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. "He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." A mother's heart cries, "Spare my child;" but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how hard-mouthed we are, it is a wonder that we are not driven with a sharper bit. The thought is full of consolation, that he who has fixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 103:15,16 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. • When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Isaiah 40:7,8 The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. • The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 2 Corinthians 6:2 for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION "-- 1 Corinthians 7:31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away. Hebrews 10:24,25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, • not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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